"I must say, that for my part, I have always found Archag loyal and truthful." A murmur of assent was heard from the other masters. "I have watched him both in and out of study-hours, and it is my private opinion that one of his classmates really did give him a push by way of revenge. I have my own suspicions, too, as to that, which I shall do my utmost to verify. The lad is diffident and awkward; he did wrong not to confess his fault at once, but he made up for that by admitting his guilt before the whole college. You will reply that he could not do otherwise, since Badvili Melikian knew he was in the museum that afternoon. I do not admit that argument; if he had meant to lie about it all, he would have denied the whole or nothing. Let us punish him for his disobedience in handling the collection; that was his only fault, and does not deserve expulsion from the college." The professors discussed the matter at length; Monsieur Bernier and Badvili Melikian agreed with Professor Pagratian; the others wished Archag to be expelled. "I don't believe," said the president, at last, "that we shall ever come to an agreement. I suggest therefore that we leave the decision to Professor Piralian, who is better able to judge than we." The professor had received a grievous blow in the destruction of his precious collection, and he had none too much sympathy with Archag. But at the moment of giving his judgment he seemed to see his pupil's bright face with its frank and straightforward expression, and he felt that eyes like his could not have lied. His decision was made. "Gentlemen," said he, "I ask you to keep Archag here; five days on bounds will be sufficient punishment for him." Meanwhile our friend was wandering about the campus like a lost soul. He had gone off by himself, ashamed to let his grief be seen. Was he really going to be expelled? All his pride revolted at the thought. He would cheerfully take any punishment if only he might be spared this disgrace. After a while he heard someone calling him: "Archag, Archag!" "What is it?" "Dr. Mills is asking for you." Archag entered the room where all the professors were seated around the table. "My friend," said the president to him, "you have committed a serious fault in touching the collection of butterflies after having been told not to do so. The loss you have occasioned to our museum is irreparable. We are willing, however, to take into consideration your youth and inexperience, as extenuating circumstances, since you are just at the beginning of your college career. You will have five days on bounds, and be marked zero for conduct in your next report." "Then I am not expelled?" "No; we think you are sufficiently punished in this way." "Oh! thank you, thank you, Machallah!" cried Archag. He kissed the president's hand again and again, then fled precipitately to hide the sobs that stifled him. CHAPTER IX FRIENDS IN NEED